The aurora borealis – better known as the northern or polar lights – usually appears around the Arctic Circle. It forms an “auroral oval” around earth’s magnetic north pole, a visible band that varies based on solar activity. Timing is everything with the lights, which are best seen from August through April along the oval. Here are five top towns well worth a visit, while still keeping an eye skyward to get a glimpse of the greatest show on earth.

The aurora borealis – better known as the northern or polar lights – usually appears around the Arctic Circle. It forms an “auroral oval” around earth’s magnetic north pole, a visible band that varies based on solar activity. Timing is everything with the lights, which are best seen from August through April along the oval. Here are five top towns well worth a visit, while still keeping an eye skyward to get a glimpse of the greatest show on earth.